To ask how you look after yourself?

[yahoosername]

Ok, so I've treated "lockdown" as if it were a second Christmas. The minute Boris announced the schools were closing I ordered all of the wine and all of the cheese. We've had beers and BBQs and lots of fun but it has to stop

I've put on a couple of stone, I drink too much, basically, I need a reset/recharge.

So, AIBU to ask you for one or two things that will really make a difference to my wellbeing? I'm out for a drink this weekend (pre-planned but now not so keen ) and have a food delivery booked on Monday.

Thoughts so far:

• booze free September
• detox diet? Or go veggie/Pesci for September?
• mindfulness (I've got the CALM app but not really good at using it)
• pamper treatments at home - recommendations needed!

What am I missing? What should my post lockdown daily timetable look like? Any tips gratefully received. It'll be the first time except during pregnancy that I've done this!

No alcohol
Lots of water
Walk everywhere

Eat less move more and no alcohol.

Long walks. I set a 15,000 step target per day. Along with calorie control (no alcohol), 5 weeks later I am down 13 lbs and feeling really revived.... walking is good for the soul as well as the health. 🙂 good luck!

I bought lots of face masks and shower oils etc. Avon is good and lots of cheap face masks in one below or b&m. Little pamper sessions. A good candle can set the mood. Nature walks when I can in all weathers and I recently dropped dairy after a health scare.

Do what makes you feel good.A good book maybe or a hobby. Personally listening to rainfall on an ipod helps me relax.

Grr, I knew you would all tell me to walk/exercise. I live in a beautiful place to walk but don't do it every day even though I know I should such a lazy cow

Time to find the old Fitbit

I tried a 3 day water challenge where you drink 3 litres of water for 3 days.

You start with a cup of hot water in the morning with a squeeze of lemon and a few grains of rock/sea salt, and then plain water for the rest of the day, no other drinks at all.

I've got to say I can't remember the last time I felt as good. No daily headache, no lethargy, I felt less bloated, I probably ate a whole lot better because I just felt less hungry and kind of healthier in general.

It was a good kickstart into drinking more water in general. It's recommend that after 3 days you reduce to 2 litres a day a which I haven't kept up tbh

I do like a face mask (not the covid kind )

I'm happy to splurge a bit if something comes highly recommended, particularly masks or oils.

I struggle with sleeping too and have ordered a weighted blanket

@RoadworksAgain the thought of no coffee is terrifying. Maybe I'll adapt it to a little strong black coffee first!

Really can't say I'm detoxing though if I'm drinking caffeine can I?

Urgh same.. on holiday next week but then back to work on the 7th...

Only drinking on a Friday and sunday (wine with Sunday lunch).

Will walk or run daily (an hour or half an hour depending on which).

Gym class 3 times a week.

Lots of water, fresh veg, some fruit.. low carb.. high protein.. good fats..

I want 2.5 stone off by Christmas

Set some achievable goals so that you can keep motivated. I think there are lots of us who have done similar things over lock down but aren't so honest. I'm starting with self care - doing something for me like going to gym classes. Reducing alcohol and eating more healthily. Good luck

Stop drinking
Eat half
10,000 steps

Gosh isn't that easy to wrote on a screen. If only life mirrored a screen

@OhTheRoses

Easy peasy that. I'll get on with it right away! Haha

Do some yoga off YouTube. Yoga for energy or yoga for weigh loss or yoga for confidence. There seems to be a yoga class for anything you can think of

Eat less move more and no alcohol.

Yep, that'll do it. As long as the less that you're eating is balanced and healthy.

No need to start going veggi, although from my own experience cutting out meat has help make me feel healthier and helped lower my cholesterol. Detoxing is nonsense.

Pampering is nice if that something that appeals to you and can give you a bit of a boost.

Just eating more fruit will leave you less room to fill with unhealthy stuff

You need to drill down into what you actually want and why (not just "lose weight"), and find the motivation to make something a habit.

I'd also be wary of changing too much at once. It's not realistic and sets you up to fail.

Maybe just start drinking 2L or more water a day to start, that will naturally give you more energy and help you to eat less without doing anything else.

I dunno but your lockdown sounds amazing.

😂😂 @OhioOhioOhio. That exactly what I was thinking 😂
I worked insane hours thoughout lockdown and still do .
OP - glad you had such a good time

I'm doing noon at the moment and one of the things it suggests is to set achievable goals that you can measure. Mine is currently.to get 7 hrs sleep a night. It doesn't sound like a big deal but I have been averaging 5 or 6 so it's significant for.me.

Don't plan to give up alcohol, detox, diet and change your exercise regime and sleep pattern all at once, pick one.

@babbi and @OhioOhioOhio 😂 it was awesome.

And now back to reality - whatever the 2020 version of that is!!

Hmm, someone asked what I want. I want to fit in my clothes and feel comfortable at the weight I'm at, seriously top heavy, I'm all chins and tits at the minute.

I want to be healthy and live a long time (or just not completely pickle my insides on lockdown beers will do).

I'm glad detoxing is a load of old rubbish (is that definitely true) because turmeric and spoonfuls of pepper aren't filling me with hope really.

The water one seems a good place to start, and cutting out the booze for a bit. I'll order plenty of veg on my delivery, not a huge fan of fruit though.

I run a lot, don’t drink alcohol much, do my best to stay away from junk food and spend too much money on skincare. Not sure any of it works, but i makes me feel better!

Make sure you're getting proper sleep! Putting blue lights away at least an hour before bed, keeping the bedroom for sleep and sex only, investing in a really lovely handcream as a nice smelling treat before sleep, putting a drop of lavender essential oil on the pillow, using lamp light rather than overhead 'big' light, de-cluttering the bedroom, reading a good book for half an hour before bed, keeping a notebook close by so any pesky intrusive thoughts can be written down and dealt with in the morning.

Thanks @Sairafina

I hope those tips can help someone and I do persevere but I have terrible sleep issues. Insomnia. I've tried sleep retraining which was utter hell and didn't work. I've got the This Works sleep sprays etc (guess what: they don't )

The only thing I haven't tried is a weighted blanket and I have one on order so you never know. This could be my miracle cure!

I try and eat healthy but I love cheese, chocolate 99% of all food really.

I try and do things I enjoy like play games on my phone, Netflix etc., puzzle magazines, reading, buying nice coffee mugs & coffee, pencils small things I like, eating in cafes

I drink wine 2/3 nights a week (weekend) so not giving this up unless I need too

I am not into beauty/skincare (apart from nice soap)/clothes etc.

just speaking for myself nothing wrong with those things

Stop drinking - sorry! :(

But otherwhys, having two meat free days a week make me feel generally healthier, loads of veg and makes me experiment a bit (but then I love cooking). Otherwhys, find some excuses to walk to random places, drink plenty of water (adding things like mint or lime can make them marginally more interesting).

Seconding a PP who said facemasks. The garnier moisture bomb ones are easily available and I think they feel lovely and fresh. Also the Austrailian pink clay ones, bit pricey but make my cheeks buttery soft!!